Trail blazers
Monday 5 March 2018
Blazers, the fashion press tell us, are hot news this season. Jane and Beryl have long been fans and can unearth never ending numbers from the caves of clothes which they call their wardrobes, so breath a sigh of relief at these glad tidings. The blazer can be all things to all WOACAs, merrily being dressed up or down as the fancy takes us.
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| Blazer H&M Spring season 2018 £39, Top Rowlands £55, Miss Sugar culottes £45, bag Armani (pressie) Shoes LK Bennett £180 |
The nauseatingly twee headgear has long gone, but the blazer persists, mostly because it is a darned useful bit of kit. The 2018 blazer has a strong 80s vibe, slouchy and playful, it's reminiscent of lovely Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink.
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| Suit (available separately) Cotton Traders about £50, shoes M&S £49.50, tee shirt £12.95 Zara |
Yes, it's pinstripes all the way for Jane, but anything less like a business woman would be hard to imagine. This combo is in linen, and although Jane bought it at the end of last summer, she has already had her money's worth. This was not hard as it cost all of fifty quid from (she whispers) Cotton Traders (https://www.cottontraders.com). With a plain tee and Beryl's new silver bag to match her brogues, this will be one of her go to outfits this spring too no doubt.
As Beryl is coming clean this week she is beginning to think that this East sale purchase of a few weeks ago might be a bit of a mistake. Perfectly lovely of itself, and right on the fashion button, she is having a pile of trouble finding something to wear with it. She tried it on with a black dress and curiously spotty tights but isn't quite sure who this woman in the photo is? The new Conservative candidate for Budleigh Salterton? Suggestions on a postcard, please.  |
| East blazer £119 (sale) dress £60 Le redoute (10 years old) shoes The Jacksons. Clutch bag £4 charity shop |
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| Vintage blazer/coat Wallis £40 |
Beryl was not keen that Jane include this version of the blazer, but Jane was adamant as it's been such a brilliant buy in the 18 years since it was acquired. OK, it might technically be a coat, but who cares? It has the lapel thing going on, and it's worn over other items. A gold version of the blazer is a marvellously versatile thing: run and buy at once!
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| Boyfriend blazer in palest pink, Mint Velvet, £119 |
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| Jacket as before, metallic top £79 skirt £99 and shoes £99 all Mint Velvet |
As we know, Jane's fashion character is a tomboy (with a bit of bohemian thrown in), and in the blazer/jean combo she feels right at home. But as Beryl shows (fashion character, the lady and the tramp), this blush blazer is soooo multifunctional and does the job over a pleated skirt and high espadrilles too. Jane and Beryl think it's very well-priced as tailoring generally ups the ante cost wise. Anyone getting married? (Oops, wrong blog, what we wear as a wedding guest, coming soon...)
PS Molly Ringwald would be proud of the rolled up sleeves.
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| Orange blazer Jigsaw £199, jeans Tesco £22 |
The Look For Less
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| Paul Costello jacket £5, Pyrus shirt £3.75 from charity shops. Denim and Supply jeans Ralph Lauren $98, boots River Island £55 |
It is of course not necessary to spend a fortune to get a great blazer. Beryl fished this navy-blue Paul Costello shortie in perfect condition out of a charity shop for a fiver. Like all other garments there is a perfect blazer for all body types. Long ones are kind to tall women who like to hide their bottom, while the shaped short variety prevent the likes of Beryl from looking all jacket and no legs. If you are 'blessed' with an attention seeking bosom such as Jane and Beryl, single-breasted with slim revers and one button are largely the way forward. Too square and too high necked, not to mention the exaggerated shoulder pad, can give rise to The Miss Trunchpole, never a good look.
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